Under brands owned by fellow players and peers, players will be able to conduct their personal life in a manner that better resembles a rugby league throbber, rather than having to conform to the ethics of an 1850’s priest in order to keep sponsorship deals and media contracts intact. It has become clear that players who don’t conform to the structures and traditions of old media will be at best ignored and at worst denigrated by the establishment of NRL media. In recent years, Nine and Fox have enjoyed an endless stream of ex-players lining up to work for them, while having exclusive and unlimited access to the current crop. Brandon Smith is the first of hopefully many who will branch out to help smaller media companies grow, and dilute the dominating influence of Fox and Nine.

The attitude of these companies is in direct opposition to the positive work done by the NRL that has resulted in more self-determination for the players. Over the last decade or so, the NRL has invested in and emphasised the importance of education, so that players will be better prepared for life outside of football. Partnerships like this that give players more autonomy over their careers and financials have been assisted by the

This isn’t me being some fanboy of YKTR, or a crypto nerd stoked about a player getting paid in Etherium. I’m a simple man. I like my tokens Fungible and my currency tangible. But the self-determination of players in an industry that is dominated by big organisations should be celebrated by the average dribbler, whether or not you think it’s a smart business decision.